49ers will put bounty of picks to use

Published 2:28 am, Wednesday, April 24, 2013

LSU defensive back Eric Reid keeps his eyes on the ball during a drill.

LSU defensive back Eric Reid keeps his eyes on the ball during a drill.

Photo: Dave Martin

49ers will put bounty of picks to use

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At this point, the draft-obsessed segment of the 49ers' fan base has an encyclopedic knowledge of this year's top safety prospects.

Texas' Kenny Vaccaro? They not only know his height (6-foot), but his hometown (Brownwood, Texas). LSU's Eric Reid? They're well-versed on his honors (first-team All-American) and academics (business administration major).

Yes, it's been widely assumed the 49ers will use one of their top draft picks on a top-tier safety since All-Pro Dashon Goldson signed with the Bucs about six weeks ago. The 49ers have since signed Craig Dahl to a modest three-year contract, but the former Rams safety will compete with a rookie for a starting spot alongside Donte Whitner.

Last week, general manager Trent Baalke downplayed the need for a starting-caliber safety in his pre-draft meeting with the media. That was predictable, but the reality is Goldson's vacated spot is the only area - on offense or defense - in which a starting position is unquestionably up for grabs.

It's not the only area of need for the 49ers entering the first round Thursday, though. Here's a look at other positions they will address with their NFL-high 13 picks:

Defensive tackle: The 49ers got a peek into the future after All-Pro Justin Smith sustained a torn triceps in mid-December, missed two games and returned at less than full strength for the postseason. The view wasn't encouraging: Quarterbacks had a 75.3 rating before Smith's injury, 100.6 after.

San Francisco could use a high pick (they have three selections in the top 61) on an heir apparent to Smith, 33, who is entering the final year of his contract. In the short-term, a rookie defensive tackle could spell Smith and Ray McDonald, 28, who rarely came off the field last year.

Tight end: In 2012, the 49ers used at least two tight ends on 53 percent of their offensive snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. Typically, those tight ends were Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker, who signed with the Titans last month.

Without Walker, the only other tight ends on the roster are Garrett Celek and Cameron Morrah, who have a combined 20 career receptions.

A possibility with one of the 49ers' first two picks (Nos. 31 and 34) is Stanford tight end Zach Ertz, who was recruited by Jim Harbaugh at Monte Vista High in Danville.

Wide receiver: The 49ers have their two starters in Michael Crabtree and Anquan Boldin. The rest of the depth chart, however, is littered with question marks.

Mario Manningham and Kyle Williams? They're both returning from serious knee injuries sustained late in 2012. A.J. Jenkins? Last year's first-round pick is an unknown commodity after he dropped the only pass thrown his way last year.

The 49ers could draft more than one wideout. Boldin, Manningham and Williams are entering the final year of their contracts. Meanwhile, Crabtree, who held out for 71 days as a rookie, will become a free agent after the 2014 season.

Cornerback: At 31, Carlos Rogers had problems keeping up with shifty slot receivers last year and it's not clear another cornerback on the roster is capable of assuming those duties.

Looking into the future, starter Tarell Brown is entering the final year of his contract and Rogers could become a salary-cap casualty in 2014 with a scheduled base salary of $6.25 million. Nnamdi Asomugha, 31, who signed a one-year deal with no guaranteed money, was released by the Eagles in March after the worst season of his 10-year career.

At a glance

What: NFL draft

When: Thursday-Saturday

Where: New York

Note: Kansas City gets the first pick, while the Raiders pick third, after Jacksonville.